Rheinmetall Integrates Australian and New Zealand Business

Rheinmetall announced today that it is integrating its operations in Australia and New Zealand into a single operational unit. Gary Stewart has been appointed as the Managing Director to lead this newly integrated Rheinmetall Defence Australia (RDA) business.

The integrated business will include the existing operations of Rheinmetall Defence Australia, Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles Australia, Rheinmetall Electronic Solutions Australia and Logistic Solutions Australia.

From now on, all businesses approaching the Australian and New Zealand governments under the name “Rheinmetall” will be unified within the framework of the new Rheinmetall Defence Australia organization.

Mr Stewart moves into the role after more than twelve months as chief operations officer at RDA, reporting to Andrew Fletcher. Mr Fletcher has stepped down after two and a half years spent establishing the company’s local footprint.

“The timing is right to pass the baton to Gary, as the company moves from an establishment phase to one of consolidation and growth,” Mr Fletcher said.

Mr Stewart has significant defence and industry experience that includes senior management positions at General Dynamics Land Systems in Canada and Australia, as well as delivering project management and systems engineering expertise to a range of Australian programs. Prior to his work in industry, Mr Stewart served for over a decade as an engineering officer in the Royal Australian Air Force.

“From today, Rheinmetall Defence Australia will consolidate its businesses in Australia and New Zealand as one operational unit in the form of Rheinmetall Defence Australia,” Mr Stewart said.

“I am proud to lead the company into this exciting phase where it operates as a regional hub for Rheinmetall, presenting one face to its customers and building on the significant progress we have made over the last 40 years.”

Mr Fletcher’s professional association with Rheinmetall continues through his appointment as a non-executive director of the Rheinmetall Defence Australia Supervisory Board alongside the Hon. Robert Hill AC and Lt. General John Caligari AO, DSC (retired).

Mr Stewart also announced new appointments across Rheinmetall’s Electronics, Vehicle Systems and Weapons and Munitions businesses in Australia and New Zealand.

Terry Nichols has been appointed General Manager of Rheinmetall’s local electronics systems business as part of Rheinmetall Defence Australia. He joins the company from Boeing Defence Australia where he was most recently the Director of Program Management.

“I welcome Terry’s appointment to lead the Rheinmetall Electronics business in Australia. This is an exciting appointment and we are anticipating significant developments in this business in the coming years,” Mr Stewart said.

Marco Van Lieshout, who has been successfully leading Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles in Australia, will expand his responsibility as part of Rheinmetall Defence Australia to also include tactical vehicles and other products from the Rheinmetall Vehicle Systems Division.

Rod West steps into a new role and will lead the growth of Rheinmetall Weapons and Ammunition business in Australia and New Zealand as part of Rheinmetall Defence Australia.